Experimental Investigation of Solar Air Heater with Energy Storage Unit

Abstract

The present study investigates a single-pass solar air collector (SAC) linked to a thermal energy storage unit. This system is designed to store energy by using a cement mortar molds storage bed during daylight hours and subsequently reutilize it at night. A solar collector was used in this research, which was consecutively connected to the cement mortar molds bed. High-density cement mortar molds (570 kg) were used as a storage medium. The experiments were conducted on clear days for two random days at a constant airflow rate (0.0217 kg/s) for the climate of Mosul City, Iraq. The study assessed the parameters influencing the thermal performance of the SAC integrated with the cement mortar molds storage bed. Measurements of solar radiation intensity and air temperatures at various locations were recorded. The data indicated that the cement mortar molds storage bed achieved a temperature difference of approximately 10? post-sunset, with this difference sustained for 4-5 hours. The cement mortar molds bed demonstrated the capability to retain heat for an extended post-sunset, releasing it during nighttime.